As cooler weather approaches, it’s the perfect time to update our bar carts with spirits that give us respite from the season's chills. A dram of something dark and delicious is like a toasty hug that banishes even the dreariest Daylight Savings blues. Deanston Virgin Oak, a classic, unpeated and multi-award-winning Highland single malt scotch whisky, is just what we need to warm our bones. Available at the LCBO for less than $60, and at 46 per cent, it’s a premium whisky at a fantastic price.

With its waxy mouth coating and notes of creamy vanilla toffee and heather honey, Deanston Virgin Oak is the perfect bottle to round off a hearty, comforting feast. Relax and reflect on the year by savouring Deanston Virgin Oak’s notes of oak spice and toffee, a hint of citrus and a sprinkle of brown sugar and vanilla. Whether you’re pairing it with an indulgent slice of chocolate cake, enjoying it in a cocktail around the fireplace as you trade your favourite 2024 memories, or sipping it neat as you open gifts around the tree, this scotch whisky will always fit the occasion.

Non-chill filtered and matured in ex-bourbon barrels before a nine- to 12-month finish in virgin American oak barrels, this is the definition of a premium scotch whisky. Deanston is made with local Scottish barley and water from the River Teith. The water flows over granite, giving it a beautiful softness that you can taste in every dram.

Not only does this waxy whisky tickle our tastebuds, but it’s also great for the planet. The distillery is also hydro-powered, with around 70 per cent of the energy going back to the grid, supporting the surrounding community.

Deanston’s Cut From A Different Tartan campaign celebrated five Canadian changemakers who are blazing trails and living their purpose. This year, the inventive bartenders, who hail from Canada’s west coast and Ontario, created outstanding cocktails that brought Deanston Virgin Oak to life. Check out the winners, below.

Deanston Virgin Oak is available at the LCBO for just $58.45. To find tasty cocktail inspiration from Deanston’s Cut From A Different Tartan winners, click here.